Walkways Ideas for Garden Paths

Practical and Companionable

• No beautiful garden exists without work, and that usually means having to haul something one way or the other. Unfortunately that means using a wheelbarrow or cart, at least – neither of which skips along happily on a narrow footpath. For garden maintenance to be practical, you need a path 4 feet wide at minimum. This is where a simple swath of lawn works best. Grass is easy to maintain and a soft green path of that size provides more than enough room for pleasant and companionable garden viewing when the day's work is done.

Getting to Oz

• If you remember Dorothy's memorable first steps on the road to the fabled land of Oz, you'll recall that the Yellow Brick Road began as a spiral unwinding into a pretty avenue through forests and fields. If your gardens are relatively extensive and a formal look appeals to you, recreate that nostalgic path in brick – yellow or otherwise. Start the spiral as a paved courtyard for leisurely dining or as a focal point sporting a fountain or sundial, then let it unwind along short passages that taper naturally into your flowers, shrubs and vegetables – at the same time dividing the garden into logical sections. With a solid foundation like this, you may find your “emerald city” a tad easier to reach than before.

The Natural Choice

• If wildflowers or a less formal garden is your style, forego hard surfacing and straight lines. Opt for a curvier path with variations in width, and use soft surfacing underfoot. Lay out the path with a garden hose or string to get the shape you want before planting. Line the path with fragrant, spreading species to soften edges and make your walk an olfactory sensory experience as well as a visual one. Wood chips or sand make effective soft paths -- though they do need periodic replacement as they deteriorate or spread. For a longer lasting natural look, use thick slices from weathered logs – set on end like steppingstones – and plant groundcovers in between, such as creeping thyme, Irish moss or one of the low-growing sedums or stonecrops that are tolerant of foot traffic. Colorado State University Extension offers a helpful list of groundcover plants for specific sun and shade conditions.

Wet Garden Pathways

• Not all gardens are high and dry. If you too often wear galoshes in your garden, consider elevating your walk with an old-time corduroy path. No, not the fabric. This path consists of saplings laid side by side across log rails or sills, or the wood can sit directly on the ground lashed together with ropes. This rustic pathway is attractive in a natural setting like a bog garden or along a stream, but does require considerable material to build. If you have a small woodlot that needs thinning, however, it makes a durable and interesting path.